Role of B vitamins in modulating homocysteine and metabolic pathways linked to brain atrophy: Metabolomics insights from the VITACOG trial

INTRODUCTION: Elevated total homocysteine (tHcy) is a major predictor of brain atrophy, cognitive decline, and Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression. The VITACOG trial, a randomized, placebo-controlled study in mild cognitive impairment (MCI), previously showed that B vitamin supplementation lowered tHcy, slowing brain atrophy and cognitive decline; however, the underlying mechanisms remained unclear.
METHODS: We used untargeted, multi-platform metabolomics, with nuclear magnetic resonance and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to analyze serum samples from 89 B vitamin-treated and 84 placebo-treated MCI participants over a 2 year follow-up period.
RESULTS: Multivariate modeling distinguished treated from placebo groups with 91.2 ± 1.8% accuracy. B vitamin supplementation induced significant metabolic reprogramming, lowering quinolinic acid, α-ketoglutarate, α-ketobutyrate, glucose, and glutamate.
DISCUSSION: These findings reveal that B vitamins influence metabolic pathways beyond tHcy reduction, particularly the tricarboxylic acid cycle and glutamine-glutamate cycling, critical for brain energy homeostasis and neurotransmission. This metabolic signature supports B vitamin supplementation as a strategy for slowing MCI progression.
HIGHLIGHTS: Nuclear magnetic resonance and multi-platform liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry metabolomics were performed on serum samples from 89 B vitamin-treated and 84 placebo participants in the VITACOG trial. Multi-platform metabolomics revealed B vitamin-driven metabolic reprogramming, achieving 91% classification accuracy. B vitamin supplementation modulates key neuroprotective metabolic pathways. Regulation of energy metabolism and neurotransmission by B vitamins contributes to brain health in elderly individuals. B vitamins demonstrate potential as an adjunct therapy in mild cognitive impairment, potentially mitigating progression to Alzheimer's disease.